Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-02

to pieces on the third market day, or sold
to foreigners beyond the Tiber, but,gath-
ering newness of life from the reflected
wisdom Of Lord Mansfield, and the les
sons CT experience drawn from practical
life, il has now become 6 beacon light to
modern jurists in deciding upon and ad-
Indicating the rights of men aud
nations growing out Of the commerce
Of The world. The same spirit OF
improvement is manifested in the bene-
ficenG legislation that marks the modern
codes Of civilized nations, in sweeping
away those sanguinary pens tiles for GRIM
lnel ofenses which, N former times.
stained the English statutes with human
blood, and over which humsnity hal so
long wept her unavslling rears.
To the honor of America, be It ss!d,
she took the lead in reducing the number
Of capital felonies, and while IN England
there were formerly over 100 capital
crimes, there are now III the states of me
American union less than naf dozen
offenses to which the enlightened juGg-
ment of legislation has fixed the penalty
J Of death 1t should be remarked that
! these benelicent and humanitarian results
/ in legislation have been conceived in the
minds ana accomplished through the man
! ~ efforts of eminent lawyers in our own
and other countries. In this, we think,
! is forever repealed the Cff-repeated SIAN
! der that "to be good lawyer is TO be
an Indifferent statesman" 1t is true
now, as IN the past, and must be In the
future, that, in government OF laws,
those woo make it their special study to
understand and administer the laW in its
! letter and spirit, must continue TO be in the
/ judicial department of the service other
country, the ssfest councillors, in the
legislative and executive departments
! the best and most reliable statesmen. If
tais be not so, then it logically follows,
that intelligence Is 3 vice instead of Il
virtue; ana ignorance, in high places, d
blessing to the country, instead Of q curse.
The Legislature, ct lis last session,
among The joint resolutions pissed for
the amendment Of the constitution to be
submitted 10 tue vote OF the peor lie for
adoption, proposed, as an amendment to
article five, what is known as the iu-
dietary article, q resolution GREETING s
Supreme court TO be composed of five
members; but, il regard to the salary 10
be paid the judges, and other substantial
details, il failed TO conform to the amend
mept proposed ana adopted by this asso-
I
the bill, then prepared by an able COM
mittee, YES unanimously adopted by this
association, we vainly hoped that il
would receive the earnest support OF the
Legislature. The legislative amendment
WAS so wide departure that it met, SIS it
merited, the opposition of The bar and
WAS buried by the people at the polls.
The constitution CT the Bar Association
ID 70 oh n Nc tN 40
science of Jurisprudence. promote the
uniformity CT legislation in the admins
trsGiOn Of justice throughout the state,
uphold the honor of the profession OF the
law, and encourage cordial intercourse
among it's members. These high puT-
poses, thus voiced in the organic law, are
, of paramount Importance, and devolv5
upon us, with specisl force, the duty and
/ responsibility Of usin our best endesvors
to secure their accomplishment. UDQues
: tionably, il in either countries, where thC
ieweled crown and radiant robe Of roy,
= atty signGlZed the exercise OF cesp0ti(
/ power on the part of the titled few who
ruled their subjects with unbrl-
e died will, the science of the
= law is reversed and respected
r by the people, by go much more should il
receive our homage in this country where
! It's voice is supreme, and where life
I liberty End property, and al the blessings
+ we mOst highly esteem en- eGrtn, sre COM
/ United TO its guardianship for prc5erYS
= tioG aud protection.
( Gentlemen OF the association, before
I concluding, it IL proper that l should pay
au humble tribute of respect to the
- memory OF the late hOnored president c
e this association. Brief as was the dis
2 charge OF his duties, yet his s0i!itY, kind
S ness, suayity of temper, and high quail
t ties Of head and heart, have bulls for hin
L IN our memories an enduring Testimonial
q to MS excellent worth, both as either
4 and lawyer. He ever regarded The pro
e fession Of the law as one in which dis
d tinction could not be gained wittou
s merit, and that the q price 0
success Was patient and unremit
It ting tell. He was successfu
II practitioner before the courts, and ye
e gained time form his laborious engage
" ment5 to give TO the profession work c
n considerable merit, requiring in it
II preparation extensive research. clos
S analysis, aud the exercise OF those highe
powers % mind necessary 20 the deduc
e ton OF reason snd Justice. Possessed c
y these noble attributes, the Hon. A. j
= Peeler was cut off in the blossom Of hi
Il days, while yet the vigor of manhoo
: flushed his cheeks, and the full harvest {
+, glory was urgathered.
o fright worthily he lived, right nobi
r he died." but he left to his professio
II the legacy CT bright example. May W
,e all profit by it.